elephant trap
nounUK /ˈɛlɪf(ə)nt ˌtɹæp/ · US /ˈɛləfənt ˌtɹæp/
Etymology From elephant + trap, alluding to the fact that a trap for an elephant needs to be quite large, and so ought to be easily seen.
1
Figuratively A trap which can easily be avoided by a competent person, and thus proves the incompetence of anybody trapped by it.
- To show he doesn’t do his fair share of work, I’ve set him an elephant trap. If he falls in he’ll look like a clown.
2
Board games, Chess, Games Figuratively Often in the form Elephant Trap: a faulty attempt by White to win a pawn in a popular variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, which is generally only effective against inexperienced players.